Ishpeming, MI – January 28th, 2019 – On a day when many schools were closed due to inclement weather, the Ishpeming Hematites girls basketball team and the Iron Mountain Mountaineers toughed out the conditions to compete in a dual-conference battle. Luke Ghiardi and Bob Nadeau were right there with the team to cover all the action for you on 98.3 WRUP and streaming at WRUP.com/Stream!
In an unusual foul call, the Ishpeming Hematites were called for encroaching on the circle for the opening jump, and that allowed the Mountaineers to take the first possession. There was no scoring for the first minute, but the action on the court was back and forth. Iron Mountain got onto the scoreboard first off of a great shot from the edge, making the score 3-0 for the Mountaineers. Ishpeming kept the score
close and only trailed by two points as the first quarter dipped under the halfway mark. With :50 second left, the Hematites had tied the score at 9-9, but Iron Mountain regained the lead with just seconds left in the quarter.
First Quarter Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 9
Iron Mountain Mountaineers: 13
Iron Mountain continued to add points to their score in a frantic manner as the second quarter began, and soon, they led the Ishpeming Hematites 23-12. Scoring slowed as the second quarter made it’s way toward the halfway point, and Ishpeming coach Ryan R. could be heard pleading with his players for more energy. It was 30-19 with under one minute to play in the half, and the Ishpeming Hematites would have to make up some serious ground in the second half.
First Half Score
Ishpeming Hematites:19
Iron Mountain Mountaineers: 30
The Ishpeming Hematites seemed to have the wind knocked out of their sails after the first quarter, and their troubles continued into the second half. The Ishpeming gym was astoundingly quiet as the Hematites’ fans sensed the players’ lethargy. With two minutes left in the quarter, the Hematites were forced to use one of their important timeouts to gather their thoughts. Bob and Luke noted that Ishpeming’s players were getting frustrated and starting to make some wild shots late in the game. With :90 seconds left in the quarter, the Hematites narrowed their deficit to 10 points, and they seemed to find some life late in the third.
Third Quarter Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 36
Iron Mountain Mountaineers: 41
Something happened to the Ishpeming Hematites between quarters in the second half, and they came into the fourth with renewed energy. Ishpeming trailed by just under ten points as the final quarter neared the halfway mark, but it was still anyone’s game. Iron Mountain fought back and recovered their double-digits lead with just minutes left in the game. The Mountaineers were up by 13 points with just under one minute to play, and even though the Hematites gave it their all, they couldn’t defeat a tough Iron Mountain Mountaineers team.
Final Game Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 48
Iron Mountain Mountaineers: 59